Hearing Yao's request, Kakashi turned his head immediately. His tone carried a rare severity as he warned, "Hey, hey, don't be reckless! The Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu is an A-rank Forbidden Jutsu developed by the Second Hokage. It's extremely dangerous! If an ordinary ninja creates more than twenty clones, they risk draining their chakra dry and dying! The prerequisite for learning this jutsu is having an exceptionally massive chakra reserve to back it up. It's not a jutsu you can just 'try' on a whim!"
Sasuke frowned, a hint of indignation in his voice. "According to that logic, why was a 'dead-last' like Naruto able to learn and use a forbidden jutsu like this?"
In Sasuke's eyes, there was no ninja more pathetic than Naruto. Yet, this loser could manifest an absurd number of clones. It made no sense!
Kakashi scratched his silver hair and explained, "Well... that's because Naruto's constitution is... rather unique. His chakra volume is far beyond that of a normal person, so he can sustain it."
Naruto's mother was Kushina Uzumaki, and he was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. His chakra was naturally beyond comparison.
A unique constitution? Sasuke glanced at Naruto. Aside from being overly energetic, the guy didn't seem all that special.
"It's fine," Yao smiled. "I'll just give it a try. If I can't learn it, I'll let it go." He turned to Naruto. "So, what are the hand seals?"
"It's easy! Watch closely!" Naruto held nothing back, immediately forming the Jin seal. "Just like this! Then just mobilize your chakra!"
"That's it?" Sasuke was stunned. An A-rank Forbidden Jutsu only had one seal?
"That's it!" Naruto nodded firmly.
Yao looked thoughtful. In his mind, he rapidly analyzed and simulated the principles of chakra flow and distribution. He quickly understood the essence of the technique: the mechanics were incredibly simple, but the demand on chakra volume and control was monstrous.
"I see..." Yao took a deep breath. His hands blurred as he formed the Jin seal.
"Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions of white smoke erupted in rapid succession. Centered on Yao, a thick fog surged outward like a rising tide. When the smoke cleared, Kakashi stood there, completely dumbfounded.
Even Naruto's jaw dropped so far an egg could have fit in his mouth.
As far as the eye could see, the area was densely packed with countless black-haired, black-eyed... Uchiha Yaos! It wasn't dozens, or even a hundred. It was... thousands! These clones stood there like perfect replicas. The visual impact and overwhelming pressure were absolute!
"You... you're joking, right?" Sasuke subconsciously took a half-step back, his voice dry.
This number was even more exaggerated than that idiot Naruto's. Just how much chakra did Yao have? Is he even an Uchiha?
Kakashi's face froze completely, his visible "dead-fish eye" filled with shock and disbelief. Shadow clones on this scale... Yao actually did it? Just how deep is his chakra pool?
From their previous battle, Kakashi knew Yao's chakra was immense, but he thought that was "immense" for a fresh Academy graduate. Not this! To create this many clones in one breath... how much chakra did that take? Was he comparable to a Tailed Beast?
Naruto erupted into a massive cheer. "Whoa!! Yao! You're amazing! You made even more than me!!"
Yao felt the chakra still coursing through his body—he was still full of energy. He nodded in satisfaction. As expected of the Sage Body. From now on, he could use shadow clones to "level up" his training.
"Kakashi-sensei, this jutsu isn't that hard after all!" Yao looked at Kakashi with a pure, innocent smile.
Kakashi: "..."
He was now absolutely certain. This Team 7 he was leading was undoubtedly the most ridiculous, monstrous class in the history of Konoha. Three brats... and not one of them was normal!
Sasuke was not one to admit defeat. If a "dead-last" like Naruto could create hundreds of clones, and now even Yao could do it...
"Hmph... it's just shadow clones. I can do it too!" Sasuke huffed, suppressing the shock in his heart as he quickly formed the same Jin seal.
"Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Sasuke barked, mobilizing every drop of chakra in his body.
Poof! Poof! Poof!
White smoke popped repeatedly. Sasuke could feel his chakra pouring out like a dam that had just burst. When the number of clones barely managed to break the mark of fifty—
Sasuke felt a wave of intense vertigo wash over him. His body felt hollowed out, his chakra pushed to the absolute brink of exhaustion. Turning deathly pale, he braced a single hand against his knee, gasping for air while cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
He looked at the thousand clones of Yao, then back at his own fifty. A crushing sense of defeat flooded his heart.
Why? Why can I only do this much, even when I give it my everything? Is my capacity... really just this limited?
Watching Sasuke in this state, Kakashi felt a pang of sympathy. Having a monster like this for an elder brother... the pressure must be immense. Knowing how prideful Sasuke was, Kakashi realized this blow was likely devastating. He was about to offer a few words of comfort when he heard Naruto, oblivious as ever, laughing heartily while scratching his head.
"Hahaha! Stinky Sasuke, you really are pathetic! Only a few clones and you're already tapped out!"
The words were like salt rubbed into a fresh wound. Sasuke snapped his head up, glaring murderously at Naruto, but his weakened body didn't even have the strength left for a retort. He could only grit his teeth and swallow the humiliation and resentment.
Yao glanced at his dejected "Otouto" (little brother) and shook his head slightly. Without the Sage Body, trying to force a technique based on the violent squandering of chakra was bound to end this way. However, Yao didn't offer empty comforts. He knew Sasuke's mental fortitude was actually quite high. After all, this was the kid who awakened his Sharingan during the night of the massacre—he wasn't fragile.
Yao walked over and patted Sasuke on the shoulder. "Don't take it to heart, Otouto. This jutsu isn't suitable for you. Our Uchiha clan's true talent lies in the Sharingan. You awakened yours at age seven! Your talent with the eyes clearly far exceeds mine. Don't let yourself get backed into a corner; learn to play to your strengths. Focus on developing the Sharingan. Once you reach three tomoe, your strength will comfortably reach the level of an Elite Jonin."
Sasuke remained frustrated, but he felt a little better. Currently, the Sharingan was the only area where he "bested" Yao. Since he awakened his eyes at seven and Yao still hadn't awakened his, it served as a small consolation.
"We're twins... why is your chakra so massive?" Sasuke asked, still unwilling to let it go.
Even Kakashi looked over curiously at Yao.
"Maybe..." Yao smiled. "It's because I'm not a 'proper' Uchiha?"
The Uchiha were a clan of fanatics and madmen. Yao considered himself quite sane. By that comparison, he really wasn't a very "qualified" Uchiha.
"..."